久しぶりのブログ更新です。実は2月一杯で長年勤めていた会社を辞め、3ヶ月間のフィリピン・セブ留学に行ってきました。あしかけ10年ほど、いつか留学に行きたいと思い続けながらもなかなか実行に移せないでいましたが、意志とタイミングをようやく整える事ができたので行ってきました（単身で行くことを許していただいたパートナーに感謝です）。
留学の目的
主テーマは「英語の学習」、裏テーマとして「海外生活を楽しめるか/耐えられるかのテスト」。自分の人生において一定期間海外に住んでみたいなあ、という思いがあった中で、そもそも英語が得意ではなかった（むしろ苦手意識がある）のでまずは最低限の英語力を身につけようという観点と、実際3ヶ月だけでも海外に住んでみて自分がどう感じるかを試してみました。もちろんまだまだ現役世代なのでキャリアアップの視点もありましたが。
留学先の検討、決定
計画当初はアメリカやカナダを候補先として検討しましたが、予算的になかなか厳しく、フィリピン・セブを選択。セブ留学での英語学習は、比較的安く、また、マンツーマンレッスンが中心なため欧米圏への留学やワーホリ前に行く人が多く実際学校でもそういった人たちは多かったです。もはや日本人はもちろんアジアの中でもポピュラーなのでそこまで迷う事はなかったです。ちなみに実際に私が行ったのはセブ島にくっついているマクタン島というエリアでした。
また、自分はこの数年の趣味がスキューバダイビングなので、ダイビング天国と呼ばれているフィリピン・セブはうってつけでした。
費用
授業数やコース、部屋の種類によって変わってきますが、私は「1人部屋」「前半6週間は一般的な英会話コース」「後半6週間はビジネスコース」を受講。授業料・宿代・3食の食事代込みで約79万円でした。ここに航空券代やお小遣いが必要になります。自分の場合は、最初の2週間くらいで学校の食事に飽きてしまい昼・夜は割と外で食べ、また、毎週末ダイビングで遠出することも何度かあったのでそのお金がかかりました。
結果
英語力
多少は向上したと思うものの初対面の方と気軽に日常会話をするのはまだしんどい。しかしながら、継続的に英語学習をしようというモチベーションはできた。また、ビジネスコースで英語プレゼンを行ったことで、事前準備をしっかり行う事で1人で喋るという事に少しだけ自信が付いた（ただしアドリブはできない）。また、留学前/後でTOEICを受けたのでそれがどれ位伸びたかは追って。+150点は欲しいですが。
海外生活を楽しめるか/耐えられるか
フィリピン・セブの生活は不便な部分も多かったですが、総じて刺激的でとても楽しく過ごせました。日本人の自分からするとセブの人々の細かい事は気にしない明るさに惹かれるんだろうなあ。ちなみに英語プレゼンでも[ I have been thinking that I’d like to come back and live in Cebu in the future.]と伝えておきました。
また、ダイビング旅行で言うと、オスロブ・モアルボアル・マラパスクア、隣の島のボホール、飛行機で1時間と少しかけてパラワン・エルニドという所にも行ったのでその辺も別の機会に紹介していきたいと思います。
*July 2023 English text added
Title: I went to study abroad in the Philippines for 3 months.
Body title:
It has been a long time since I updated my blog. I resigned from the company I had worked for for many years at the end of February, and went to study abroad in Cebu, Philippines for 3 months. I have been wanting to study abroad for almost 10 years, but have never been able to do it, but finally I was able to find the will and the timing to do it.
Purpose of Study Abroad
The main theme is “learning English,” and the back theme is “testing whether or not I can enjoy/endure living abroad. I had a desire to live abroad for a certain period of time in my life, but since I was not good at English to begin with (in fact, I was not very good at it), I first wanted to acquire at least a minimum level of English proficiency, and I also wanted to see how I would feel after living abroad for just three months. Of course, since I am still in the working age, I also had a viewpoint of career advancement.
Consideration and decision of study abroad destination
At the beginning of the project, I considered the United States and Canada as possible destinations, but my budget was tight, so I chose Cebu, Philippines. Studying English in Cebu is relatively inexpensive, and because the lessons are mainly one-on-one, many students go there before going to Europe or the U.S. for study abroad or work-holiday programs. It is very popular among Japanese and Asian people, so I didn’t feel lost. By the way, I actually went to an area called Mactan Island, which is attached to Cebu Island.
I have been scuba diving as my hobby for the past few years, so Cebu in the Philippines, which is called a diving paradise, was the perfect place for me.
Cost
It varies depending on the number of classes, courses, and type of room, but I took a “single room,” “general English conversation course for the first 6 weeks,” and “business course for the second 6 weeks. The total cost was about 790,000 yen including tuition, lodging, and 3 meals. You will need to pay for airfare and spending money here. In my case, I got tired of the food at the school after the first two weeks and ate lunch and dinner out rather often, and I also had to go out for diving every weekend on several occasions, so that cost money.
Results
English Proficiency
Although I think I have improved somewhat, it is still difficult to have casual daily conversations with people I have never met before. However, I am now motivated to continue learning English. In addition, I gave a presentation in English in the business course, which gave me a little more confidence in speaking alone by preparing well in advance (but not being able to improvise). I also took the TOEIC before/after my study abroad, so we’ll see how much it improved. I would like to get +150 points.
Will I be able to enjoy/endure living abroad?
Life in Cebu, Philippines was inconvenient in many aspects, but in general, it was exciting and very enjoyable. From my point of view as a Japanese, I guess I am attracted to the brightness of the people in Cebu who don’t care about details. By the way, I also told them in my English presentation [ I have been thinking that I’d like to come back and live in Cebu in the future.
In terms of diving trips, we also went to Oslob Moalboal Malapascua, Bohol on a neighboring island, and Palawan El Nido, a little over an hour away by plane, which I will introduce at another time.
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